1. business and industrial

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How to get support
from local businesses
Advice for third sector organisations
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02 I How to get support from local businesses
“Leeds City Council is very
proud of the third sector
organisations we fund”
Working with a local business
Have you considered how working in partnership with
a business could help your organisation? More and
more organisations like yours are discovering the
benefits of joint working with the right business.
This booklet offers a step by step guide on how to
get involved, build relationships to help deliver goals,
make better use of resources and expand the work
you do even further. It also includes some inspiring
examples of where these partnerships are working
successfully in Leeds. It’s already happening for so
many organisations in our city - is it your turn to get
involved and reap the rewards?
What is Corporate Social
Responsibility?
Many local businesses want to get involved with
organisations like yours as part of their Corporate
Social Responsibility programmes (CSR). Companies
don't exist in isolation; not only do staff depend on
them but customers, suppliers and their local
communities do too – they’re all affected by the
business, its core function and how it operates.
CSR is about understanding the impact businesses
have on the wider world, and using that to make a
positive and lasting difference to those communities.
It shows a commitment to behave ethically by
improving the quality of life of the workforce
and their families, and by making a valuable
contribution to the local economy and its
community so that people have a better life.
Recognising, embracing, and working in
partnership with local partners like charities,
community groups and social enterprises
(often called the third sector), can make an
insurmountable difference. Both parties can
reap the benefits as it becomes a two way
exchange; making a positive difference to
everyone involved.
Why is Leeds City Council supporting this initiative?
“Leeds City Council is very proud of the third sector organisations we fund not only for providing high quality products and services to communities but
for going the extra mile to make innovative partnerships with business to
make public investment go further and maximise the impact for clients and
service users.
More and more services that were traditionally supplied by Leeds City Council
will be delivered in other ways. We want to work with a range of partners
including the third sector, to support innovation and different ways of working.
We are especially keen to support social enterprises and organisations led by
service users and local communities and want to stimulate spread throughout
the city.
Leeds City Council supports civic enterprise, from the public value and service ethos of the public
sector, to the dynamism and creativity of business, to the community connections of third sector
organisations, combining different sectors’ strengths with the aim of working together for Leeds.”
Councillor Keith Wakefield, Leader of Leeds City Council
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“Staff can really see the
outcome of the time they
volunteer with us”
Armley Helping Hands and
“Our Farnells”
Armley Helping Hands (AHH) provides support for
older people in the Armley area. They have
successfully developed a long-term relationship
with Premier Farnell Plc - a Leeds-based company
who supply electronic products and maintenance
services.
Farnell approached AHH and what started as a
small team from the company coming out to
volunteer on a specific project, turned into a longterm partnership where both parties benefit.
“The relationship with Farnell has gone from
strength to strength because it has developed as a
true partnership – we benefit and so do they” says
AHH Manager, Dawn Newsome.
How does AHH benefit from
Farnell’s involvement?
Farnell employees help with the AHH assisted
shopping service. Sometimes they’ll also work
together on a specific project or issues and provide
ad-hoc advice and support using their professional
skills in HR or IT. Employees also organise the
annual Christmas party for 125 older people in the
area, creating a real sense of ‘family’ for everyone
involved.
How to get support from local businesses I 03
What can other third sector
organisations learn from this?
AHH manager Dawn Newsome says: “It’s not
always about money, but developing a long-term
relationship. A successful relationship is about
partnership, sharing skills and resources, and
helping to generate a greater feeling of
community. And that sense of community is
demonstrated by our members who refer to the
company as ‘our Farnells’ because they know so
many of the staff.”
What does AHH give back to Farnell?
• AHH support Farnell staff who have caring
responsibilities, or who need help on how to
navigate social care options. Employees can
contact AHH directly at any time to get advice
and guidance.
• AHH run wellbeing sessions on site, for
example giving information on ‘Ageing Well’
for employees who are coming up to
retirement.
• The partnership provides opportunities for
Farnell staff to work on projects and
challenges as part of their leadership and
training programme.
What are the benefits for Farnell?
Farnell not only get free support and advice for
staff with caring responsibilities, but an increase in
staff satisfaction, which is measured through their
annual staff surveys. “Staff can really see the
outcome of the time they volunteer with us. It
gives our people a sense of satisfaction and makes
them want to stay involved” says Charlie Denham,
Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality
at Farnell element14.
“We are proud of our association with Armley
Helping Hands. It has enabled us to better
understand the contribution a successful employee
volunteering programme can make to the
performance of our business and we share this
learning with our colleagues around the world.”
For more information visit
www.armleyhelpinghands.org
or call 0113 279 9292
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04 I How to get support from local businesses
“The partnership should
benefit both parties”
Why should I consider
working with a local
business?
More and more organisations are discovering
the benefits of joint working, and finding the
right business partner can bring a wide range
of benefits - it’s not just about the money!
• Get business support, know-how and learn
new skills to help your organisation
become even more effective at what it
does;
• Learn from the professionals – from
management to publicity and from HR
to IT;
• Promote your organisation and win a new
set of powerful advocates and supporters;
• Get support from new volunteers like their
staff and contacts;
• Develop access to new resources and;
• Understand changes in the business sector
and how your organisation can respond.
What does a good partnership look like?
• The partnership should
benefit both parties
• Relationships are built for
the long-term not as a
‘quick fix’
• There are shared values
between the business and
the third sector
organisation
• CSR is recognised as
an investment by the
business rather than
a gift.
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How to get support from local businesses I 05
“It’s important that both organisations are up
front about what’s in it for them and to try
and make it work for both parties”
Bramley Elderly Action
and Torque
Bramley Elderly Action (BEA) wanted to set up a
social enterprise to generate extra income to offer
their services to the local community.
Torque Logistics Limited is a large employer in
West Leeds and co-incidentally, also wanted to do
something to help. They offered to assist with
business advice and as a result, UpBEAt - a social
enterprise community interest company was set
up, with Torque contributing 25% of the share
capital..
BEA and UpBEAT manager Lee Ingham says:
“As well as many specific benefits from the
relationship, it’s helpful to know that we can
turn to a local company for expertise and advice.
We’re very impressed by the capability and the
promptness of Torque’s employees.”
What does Torque see as the
benefits of the partnership?
Torque is a large employer in Leeds and uses the
services of several local suppliers. People in the
area know of Torque through family members
who work there or through one of their suppliers.
Torque wants to be seen as a supportive member
of the local community and as a good neighbour.
Torque works with various charities to do this,
providing not just money but also employee time
and resources. The benefit Torque hopes to
receive from this is the support and respect of
the local community.
What are the key principles for CSR
to work well?
Lee said: “It’s important that both organisations
are up front about what’s in it for them and to
try and make it work for both parties.
From Bramley Elderly Action’s perspective we try
to make sure that we only make appropriate
requests and to make it easy for Torque to say
no. As with anything else that we do, we aim to
act professionally and we say thank you.”
For more information visit
www.bramleyea.org.uk
or www.torque.eu
How does BEA benefit from
Torque’s involvement?
Torque supports BEA’s two community shops
which they run under the social enterprise UpBEAT.
Torque provides practical support in a number
of ways, including accounting services, financial
reporting, storage space and IT advice. Torque also
processes the payroll for BEA and UpBEAt staff and
its human resources department has given
valuable advice. Torque’s employees have also
donated goods to sell at the community shops.
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06 I How to get support from local businesses
“Working in partnership helps
create a positive public image
of the business”
What are the benefits
for a business?
CSR isn't just about doing the right thing. It means
behaving responsibly, and also dealing with people
who do the same. It also offers direct business
benefits.
Businesses work with charities and other not for profit
organisations to enhance their reputation, to add to
the prosperity and sustainability of their business, to
motivate their workforce, and inspire loyalty in their
customers. CSR can have a positive impact on how
they are perceived.
But there are other benefits too:
• A good reputation makes it easier to recruit
• CSR can make a business more
competitive and reduces the risk of
sudden damage to their reputation.
• Working in partnership helps businesses
understand their customers better and
can help them win new work;
• CSR helps the business develop new
contacts and networks;
• Working in partnership helps create a
positive public image of the business.
• Businesses often want to invest in areas
where their workforces live.
employees.
• Employees may stay longer, reducing the costs
and disruption of recruitment and retraining.
• Employees are better motivated and more
productive.
• CSR can help with the personal and professional
development of staff.
• Working in partnership can provide accreditation,
leadership and skills training.
• CSR helps to ensure companies comply with
regulatory requirements.
• Helping a third sector organisation gives
something worthwhile back to the community.
• Activities such as involvement with the local
community are ideal opportunities to generate
positive press coverage.
• Good relationships with local authorities make
doing business easier.
• Understanding the wider impact of their business
can help them to develop new products and
services.
Businesses may choose to invest any or all of the following:
• Resources - equipment, promotion and facilities;
• Time - staff skills and know how; or
• Cash - donations, fundraising and trading.
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“It’s important that
both organisations
are up front”
How to get support from local businesses I 07
Garforth Net and
their partners
Garforth Net (NET) is a local neighbourhood
network where over 60 clients attend daily
activities that range from a dementia café to a
knitting circle. NET runs an award winning
befriending service offering companionship to
people who are elderly, disabled, or isolated and
unable to leave their home.
NET has a large number of volunteers who offer
friendship; they also make home visits and provide
initial assessments of need to the NET outreach
support team who can then work with social
services and local GPs. This in turn supports the
district nursing teams and community support
services.
200 volunteers drive the work of NET, led by their
Manager, Monica Walker and supported by 5
fulltime members of her highly skilled staff team.
The number of volunteers has grown from 6 to 200
over the past eleven years, motivating a move to
bigger premises to accommodate its growing client
base and on going activities. Now, it has sufficient
space to carry out training programmes for its
volunteers.
Staff volunteers at First Direct Bank, Leeds Building
Society and Sainsbury’s Supermarket have joined
forces to cultivate a derelict piece of land into an
allotment. The allotment produce is being
distributed through NET to older people in the
community.
Many NET volunteers are recently retired people teachers, administrators, nurses or engineers who
want to use their skills and stay active. “You must
value your volunteers” says Monica. In fact, she
cannot value her volunteers highly enough. NET’s
‘star’ befriending volunteer is a lady who has
regularly visited an elderly and severely disabled
man in his home twice a week for the past 17
years. They have become great friends, proving
that clients and volunteers alike get big benefits
from NET. All enjoy meaningful and interesting
social contact which boosts individual satisfaction
and self-esteem.
NET runs a volunteer timebank called ‘Time to
Share’. Under this scheme, members who
volunteer can also receive help in return and it
becomes a two-way exchange.
Monica’s advice to other third
sector organisations is:
“Invite the business to visit your organisation
to see what you do first hand; say why you
need their services – what benefit it will bring
to you, your clients and how it might help
them too. Whilst being clear about what you
need, remember to sing the praises of all the
systems and policies and people you already
have in place!”
For more information contact
info@netgarforth.org
or visit
www.netgarforth.org
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08 I How to get support from local businesses
“You must value
your volunteers”
Is working with a business for you?
Can you answer ‘Yes’ to any of the questions below?
Are you looking for a business partner to achieve your social aims?
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
Do you need help from a business to try out a new initiative?
Could you meet your organisational aims by engaging with a partner?
Does another type of business fit well with your own values and goals?
Are you considering up-scaling your activities and looking for help to do this?
Do you need support to develop a trading activity to help with your charitable activities?
If you’ve answered yes to one or more of the questions above, then it really is worth considering
working in partnership with a private sector business.
Interested? The next steps
towards building a partnership:
STEP 1
Planning your approach
Organise your thoughts around your goals and what
you need and what you can offer in return.
Remember it’s a partnership and should benefit
both parties.
• What difference does my organisation make, to
who and where (strong local links or national)?
Case studies are a great way to make real what
you do to people outside of your organisation.
• What can my organisation offer a business?
• Are there training opportunities for staff and
what are they?
• Is there an opportunity for the business to test
new ideas or products?
STEP 2
Finding the right business for you
• Who already supports you and has links with
your organisation? It might be a board
member, a volunteer, someone connected to
one of your members, or it could even be a
supplier.
• Are you based in a particular location that a
business operates or originated from?
• Why not attend business networking events
that you might not have ordinarily thought to
go to?
• Join LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) and follow
local businesses on other social media outlets
such as Facebook (www.facebook.com) and
Twitter (www.twitter.com).
• Do your research – if it’s a large businesses
they might already have an established CSR
programme in place and may not be looking for
any organisations to partner with.
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How to get support from local businesses I 09
STEP 3
Focussing on the business
• Which business do you want to be associated
with?
• Which businesses want to associate with you?
• Which business has the same values as you?
Can you identify a common interest? Is there a
client group that you both care about?
STEP 4
Talking to businesses
• Make an appointment to visit the business
contact at a time that suits them but don’t
take a committee with you!;
• Ask a sociable, outgoing, dynamic person in
your organisation to make the first approach;
• Be brief and to the point when you ask for
help; can you give a one minute summary?
• Think about what you can offer the business;
• Be clear about the nature of your business and
show your enthusiasm and passion;
• Respond quickly in all further communications
(ideally within 24 hours).
STEP 5
After your first meeting
• Build a one-to-one relationship by finding a
named person and keep in regular contact
with them;
• Learn how to shape proposals which show the
benefits to both sides - take an interest in the
business and in what it does;
• Build your knowledge of the business, keep
yourself informed of its developments and how
it measures and celebrates success.
If your new business partner offers
you staff volunteers…
...they probably don’t know much about you so:
• Tell a clear story to staff volunteers about
what your organisation does, for who and
where;
• Be clear with your staff volunteers about their
duties and roles;
• Give staff volunteers support through an
induction and regular feedback;
• Have regular catch ups – are your staff
volunteers delivering what you want and are
they getting what they need?
• Treat staff volunteers as friends; make sure
they know the good news first and include
your volunteers in your social events or
activities.
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10 I How to get support from local businesses
“We’re attractive
because we’re
good publicity”
Simon on the Streets
Simon on the Streets (SOS) is a small independent
charity in West Yorkshire supporting homeless
people. They provide emotional and practical
support to homeless and rootless people with
complex needs who can’t or won’t access other
services. SOS focuses on people with issues related
to rough sleeping.
Director Clive Sandle, who set up SOS 11 years
ago, says: “our success comes from working at
each individual service user’s pace. We work with
people no matter how long it takes for them to
make changes, and until they have no need for
support services. Public funding wouldn’t allow this
because of the time constraints that it puts on us,
so we fund our work without any government
support.”
Clive develops long-term relationships with the
corporate and business world who bring their
enthusiasm, their expertise and occasionally their
cash!
In return, business partners enjoy the publicity
they get from association with a charity which is
outspoken, media savvy, and taps into people’s
personal values. “We’re attractive because we’re
good publicity” says Clive. In telling the story of
what it’s like to be a rough sleeper, Clive takes
corporate businesses into a totally different world.
SOS has been particularly successful with
businesses who find a good fit with their values
and way of working. One of their supporters is
McGrath Rainey Laird - a branding marketing and
advertising creative agency which offered to run
a 12 month media and advertising campaign for
the charity free of charge. That campaign has
engaged the designers and creative staff at the
company that it has long continued, and is now
30 months old.
Louise Lapish from Gatewood Consulting, a
communication and training company, was so
moved by one of the charity’s high profile
campaigns that her company made a donation.
Louise said: “I’ve been interested in what Simon
on the Streets do for a while but when I saw this
campaign I needed to act. One of the reasons it
resonates with me is that much of the work
Gatewood does is about helping people to
communicate better and that’s exactly what the
team at Simon on the Streets have to do with
their clients.”
Clive Sandle’s advice to charities wishing to
approach business is, “Don’t get so wrapped up
in your passion that you can’t explain your cause
to others.”
For more information contact SOS on
admin@simononthestreets.co.uk or visit
www.simononthestreets.co.uk
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How to get support from local businesses I 11
Organisations who can offer advice and assistance:
Ahead Partnership
provides a service to third sector organisations to help
them identify their business needs, produce an
approach and develop strategic and long-term
relationships with the private sector. They also help the
private sector to join up with local social projects that
could benefit from their skills and expertise.
For more information contact
sally.wright@aheadpartnership.org.uk
Business in the Community
work with local businesses to support local charities
and can offer practical one-day activities to improve
the quality of services they provide. In addition,
ProHelp is a service with a bank of socially conscious
firms who take on one-off projects including
feasibility studies, marketing and business plans,
legal and accountancy advice and property
valuations. The guiding principle of ProHelp is that
members approach this sort of work in the same
way as they would any other fee-paying clients.
The only difference is that the community client is
not charged for the work done.
For more information contact
michael.harvey@bitc.org (Business Manager)
or trish.rogers@bitc.org.uk (Community
Manager)
Leeds ACTS
is an Academic Collaboration with the third sector.
It is a forum where you can build your awareness of
third sector priorities and how higher education
strengths can help to achieve these. It brings third
sector leaders and academics together to build
working relationships; and a partnership to develop
a shared programme of work to address the
priorities.
Voluntary Action Leeds
(through Leeds Volunteer Centre) provides a
service which matches employees with relevant
community based volunteering opportunities
(short and long-term, group or individuals)
along with advice and support to all parties on
making the most of these relationships. The
centre also provides leaflets on managing
volunteers and the volunteer kite mark
accreditation.
For more information contact
Natasha Mort, Volunteer Development
Manager on natasha.mort@val.org.uk
Leeds City Council Contract Register
could be a useful resource to help you find
companies that operate in your area or sector.
The register is available to download from the
Procurement section of the Open Data page on
the Leeds City Council website and is updated
monthly.
To view the register visit
www.leeds.gov.uk/opendata/Pages/
Key-council-data.aspx
Leeds Community Foundation
work with businesses to set up grant schemes.
They also advise on payroll issues and help to
put companies in touch with local projects
close to their offices.
For more information contact
Amanda Bennett at amanda@leedscf.org.uk
or call 0113 242 2426
For more information contact
professionalsevriceshub@leeds.ac.uk or
innovationhealthservices@leeds.ac.uk
Leeds City Council
can offer different examples of its approach to CSR and offer help and advice where needed. So, if you need
any help please get in touch with us for an informal chat. If you’re already actively working with a private
partner in business, we’d love to hear from you. We’re really keen to spread the word about good practice and
the excellent work already happening in the city.
Even if you have an interesting idea or collaboration in mind, please let us know by simply
contacting Emma Carter, Commissioning Manager for Enterprise, at emma.carter@leeds.gov.uk
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© Leeds City Council
This publication can be provided in large print, Braille and audio
please telephone 0113 247 8630
If you do not speak English and need help in understanding
this document, we may be able to provide a translation or an interpreter.
Please contact Leeds City Council customer services to see if we
can help on 0113 222 4401
For general information about Leeds City Council telephone customer
services on 0113 222 4401 or Textphone 0113 222 4410
BE04-0114